Apple Valley Man Gets Drug Treatment, Year in Jail for 2011 Arson

The Apple Valley man convicted of setting fire to an Apple Valley home while six people were inside received his sentence on Wednesday.

Aaron Michael Ferrarese, 21, was sentenced to a year in jail—with credit for 209 days already served—15 years probation and 200 hours of community service over five years, court records show.

Dakota County District Court Judge Tim Wermager also ordered that Ferrarese enter the Minnesota Teen Challenge program, which helps teens and adults with drug and alcohol addictions.

According to an article in the Pioneer Press, Ferrarese said in court that he was addicted to alcohol and marijuana in August when he set the house on fire.

Ferrarese pleaded guilty to and was convicted of felony first-degree arson in the case. He originally was charged with felony first-degree arson and second-degree arson in connection with the incident on the night of Aug. 26, in which he .

The six people sleeping inside the house at the time, , made it out of the house safely.

Ferrarese apologized to the family at his sentencing on Wednesday, according to the Pioneer Press article.

Read more about the sentencing from the Pioneer Press.